SERIES & GRADE:

POSITION INFORMATION:

PROMOTION POTENTIAL:

DUTY LOCATIONS:

WHO MAY APPLY:

United States Citizens

JOB SUMMARY:

Find Solutions to Agricultural Problems that Affect Americans Every Day, From Field to Table

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the United States Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency and one of the world's premiere scientific organizations. ARS Postdoctoral Research Associates are hired to supplement a lead scientist's research on agricultural problems of high national priority affecting American agriculture.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

DUTIES:

Major Duties: The incumbent will examine how gene expression and metabolite profiles are affected in sorghum plants improved for bioenergy conversion to liquid biofuels through alterations in the lignin biosynthetic pathway, and systematically identify changes in expressed genes or metabolites within sorghum lines developed to have either increased or decreased lignin content relative to unmodified sorghum with the overall goal of understanding how these changes impact resistance to fungal pathogens and herbivorous insects.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

This position requires a recent Ph.D in plant biology, genetics, genomics or a related field of study that has equipped the applicant with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. Knowledge of bioinformatics and/or genomics, and skill in RNA extraction and cDNA library construction for RNA-Seq is highly desirable. Computational analysis of next-generation sequencing data is also desirable. The incumbent will cooperate with a scientific team and participate in summarizing, presenting, publishing, technology transfer or long-term bioenergy research that will impact the bio-economy of the USA.

Applicants must meet basic Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standard's requirements of the scientific discipline necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.

This position has a positive education requirement. You must submit a copy of your academic transcripts OR a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify education when applying for this position. If this information is not provided, your education may not be appropriately evaluated and you may lose consideration for this position. If you are selected for this position, you will have to provide an official copy of your transcripts prior to entering on duty. Application materials will not be returned.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying; for more information please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Your application will be evaluated to determine if you meet eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, and on the extent to which your application shows that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position as defined above under "Qualifications".

Veteran's Preference: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach member 4 copy of your DD-214. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must attach an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form.

False Statements: If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; may be fired after beginning work; or may be fined or jailed.

Optional Form 306 (Declaration for Federal Employment): If you are selected for this position, you will be required to complete this form before an offer may be made.

Selective Service System: Males over age 18 who were born after December 31, 1959, must have registered with the Selective Service System (or have an exemption) to be eligible for Federal employment.

ARS Reasonable Accommodation Contact Information: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, or have questions regarding reasonable accommodation and/or accessibility for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Disability Program Manager on 202-720-6161 or through the DC Relay Service on 202-855-1234 (TDD).

If sending your application as an attachment to an email, do not send zipped files. They will be removed in accordance with standard electronic security procedures.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

If application packages do not contain all of the requested information, you may lose consideration for the job. To help you ensure your application fully outlines your qualifications and eligibility for this position, please submit the following documentation as appropriate. Some of the items listed may not apply to you. NOTE: Applications received in postage paid government envelopes will not be considered.

__ Indicate country of citizenship __Copy of DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Only if claiming veteran's preference. Visit the following web site for additional information: http://www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/html/vetguide.asp)

__ Paid and non-paid work experience related to the position. For each period of work experience include: ___Job title ___Series/grade (if Federal employment) ___Duties and accomplishments ___Employer's name and address ___Supervisor's name and contact information ___Starting and ending dates of employment (at least month/year) ___Number of hours worked per week ___Salary ___Indicate if we may contact current supervisor/employer

__ Other job related information, such as training courses (title & year); skills (e.g., other languages, computer software/hardware, tools, etc.) ___Certificates/licenses (current) ___Honors, awards, and special accomplishments__ Copy of college transcripts (If you have non-conventional education, e.g., foreign study, continuing education units, life experience, etc., go to the web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e4.htm#e4a and look under the heading Other Education for information governing acceptability of this type of education.)

As an Applicant for a Postdoctoral Research Associate Position, you must also submit the following:

__ A one-page abstract of Ph.D. dissertation

__ A resume of any honors or awards received; memberships in professional or honor societies; invitations to make presentations at scientific/technical meetings; scientific society office and committee assignments; presentations (other than invitations); and publications.

__ A list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons familiar with your stature, contributions, and recognition.

If this is your first time applying for a federal job, or if you wish to view more detailed information about various aspects of applying for federal jobs, go to http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter.